Best Laptops under $700 of 2020

Whether you’re looking for a mobile productivity workhorse or something you can use for entertainment on the go, you’ll never go wrong with having a good laptop.

However, some of the best laptops you can find on the market can be too much for most people’s budgets. Today, we’re taking a look at more budget-friendly alternatives as we look for the best laptops under 700 dollars as of today.

If you want answers right away, we got a list that can help you get started on your search right away! All of these laptops meet our criteria, which should be more than enough to meet your demands without breaking the bank.

Without further ado, let’s get into our top three picks and later on some more in-depth review of each and one.

Top Rated Laptops under $700 Comparison Table

If you want answers right away, we got a list that can help you get started on your search right away! All of these laptops meet our criteria, which should be more than enough to meet your demands without breaking the bank.

Now you know our top ten picks, but you’re probably wondering why we chose these over other options. To understand why you need to know what makes these options well worth the investment. Let’s take a closer look at each option.

Because prices can vary depending on the seller and are subject to change over time, we will not be adding the actual buying price. What we are certain of is that all of these options can and has been sold for less than $700. We will also send a link to the products page, but feel free to check with other online sellers for those sweet deals!

The Best Laptops Under 700 Dollars in 2020

1. ASUS VivoBook F510UA – Best Laptop under $700

Our second entry from ASUS is a sleek clamshell laptop trying to combine portability and power in a single budget-friendly package. For a 15.6” mid-range performance laptop, we were impressed that the VivoBook F510UA’s thin profile. We were even surprised that the laptop only weighs 3.7 pounds! Like the Aspire E 15, the VivoBook F510UA uses Windows 10 Home edition.

Don’t let the slim look fool you; the VivoBook F510UA is a decent general-purpose laptop with limited gaming capabilities. Its Intel core i5 processor and UHD Graphics can run most games with settings turned down to medium or low, but that’s as good as you can get for something so sleek and so affordable. The 1TB HDD also gives it plenty of storage for your files or games if you don’t mind the slightly longer loading times.

2. Acer Aspire E 15 – Good $700 Laptop for Students

This time, we’re taking a look at something more conventional from Acer. Our first “clamshell” laptop on the list, the Aspire E15 does away with the Chrome OS and goes for Windows 10 Home. The Aspire has a 15.6” screen and weighs almost twice as the Chromebook Flip at over 5 pounds, so you may want a dedicated backpack for this one.

While the Aspire E15 is quite bulky, it packs quite the punch for a budget laptop. It is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and a GeForce MX510 Graphics card, it’s capable of running many popular games even on medium or high settings. The 256GB SSD will help speed up loading times while also having enough space for a few AAA games, although you may want to look for a 1TB HDD if you prefer more variety in your gaming library. That being said, it’s more than good enough if you want to use it mostly for viewing movies or general productivity tasks.

3. Lenovo Flex 14 – Budget Laptop under 700 Dollar

The Lenovo Flex 14 is our first AMD-powered entry in our list of sub-$700 laptops. This laptop is a 2-in-1 that uses Windows 10 Home as its operating system. The Flex 14 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and a Radeon 8 Vega graphics processor. The Flex 14 doesn’t have much by way of aesthetics, so we’re more curious about how powerful it is compared to its Intel-powered counterparts.

The Flex 14 is a powerful budget gaming laptop only hindered by limited storage space. If you don’t mind frequently installing and reinstalling games on a regular basis, this should be one of your first picks.

We were blown away by Lenovo’s budget 2-in1 during our benchmark tests. In the same price bracket, the Flex 14 was able to beat other laptops in the list by about 10-20 frames. When running Rainbow Six Siege, our AMD-powered pick had twice frame rate of the Acer Aspire 5 Slim; not bad for just a few extra dozen bucks! This laptop would’ve been the perfect fit if only it came with a bigger SSD since it can only fit only a handful of AAA titles at best. However, that also means that the games that you manage to cram in that 256GB storage will load fast.

4. Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA-DHM4

We’re starting this list with a 2-in-1 laptop from Asus, which is one of the most well-known brands in the laptop industry. With a screen size of 12.5” and weighing just a little over 2.5 pounds, this is one portable laptop that doesn’t take up too much space, especially considering the fact that you can tuck the keyboard away when using it as a tablet. Being a Chromebook, this one uses Chrome OS, which uses apps downloaded from Google Play

We checked how the 2-in-1 fares in terms of performance, and we must say we’re satisfied by it. We didn’t have any issues watching full HD movies for hours on end, thanks to the Chromebook’s estimated battery life of around 10 hours. Our only gripe is that, as with other Chrome OS laptops, it doesn’t offer much for a gamer on the go. While the SSD storage does help its Intel M3 processor run things smoothly, it doesn’t have the volume or the processing power to handle many popular games.

5. Acer Aspire 5 Slim

We have another entry from Acer’s Aspire line-up, but this time, we’re going for the slimmer version. While the Aspire 5 Slim has plenty of possible variants, we decided to go for the A515-54-51DJ which features an Intel Core i5-8265U. As its name suggests, the Aspire 5 Slim is a very sleek laptop at only .7 inches thick. Thanks to its thin profile, this 15.6” laptop weighs just shy of 4 pounds – lighter than many 14” laptops available today. Fortunately, portability doesn’t come at the cost of durability; the aluminium body doesn’t feel flimsy, and the screen can be pushed up to 180 degrees without any worry of breaking the hinges.

The Aspire 5 Slim performs very similar to the Aspire E15, only lagging behind by a small margin. In fact, it even has a slightly processor than its fellow Acer budget laptop. The main difference lies in the graphics processor. While the E 15 uses an Nvidia Graphics card, the Aspire 5 Slim uses integrated Intel HD 620 graphics. It can still run the popular games but you will have to dial most settings all the way down. Gaming aside, it’s perfect for light productivity tasks and viewing HD movies.

6. HP Pavilion 15 Notebook PC

The Pavilion 15 Notebook PC is HP’s first entry into this list. This time, we’re looking at a laptop that is especially designed to be business tool instead of a mobile entertainment system. In fact, when you open the laptop all the way, it actually raises the lower panel. This, in turn, angles the keyboard in a way that helps reduce the strain on the users hands after typing for an extended period of time. While the Pavilion comes in many variants, we went with the entry-level version because it’s the one that greatest fits in the gaming laptops under $700 list.

The Pavilion 15 Notebook PC is a solid pick if you’re looking for something you can use for office tasks on a daily basis. It won’t run games that well, but then again, it’s more of a business tool than an entertainment gadget.

Even with the cheapest available configuration, the Pavilion 15 is an excellent workhorse. The Intel core i5 processor is beefy enough to handle basic office tasks. The integrated graphics isn’t that great for gaming, but that is actually a good thing: because most office-related tasks are fairly light on the graphics processor, having more efficient hardware allows the laptop to have longer running times per charge. If left idle, the Pavilion 15 lasts for up to 13 hours on a single charge.

7. Asus Vivobook K570ZD

The Asus Vivobook K570ZD is an interesting entry in this list because it’s specifically labelled as a “casual gaming laptop”. Even when closed, this 15.6” laptop stands out among our other picks because of its styling which –while subtle – still says that it’s meant for gaming. Like the Lenovo Flex, this is an AMD-powered laptop with Radeon graphics, but does it work well for its intended purpose? The answer seems to be “yes, but with a catch”.

For a sub-$700 laptop, we were impressed at how it was able to some of the most popular AAA titles at an acceptable frame rate (at least 40 FPS) even at full HD resolution and with the settings set to “high”. Other laptops in this list could struggle to hit those values with the settings turned all the way down. What’s the catch? The Vivobook has a fairly short battery life, giving us only about four hours of gaming on a single charge. We chalked this up to AMD parts being more power hungry than their Intel and Nvidia counterparts. The laptop also uses an HDD, so expect slightly longer load times, although the 1TB storage space is great if you want a bigger gaming library.

8. Acer Spin 5

The AMD-powered Lenovo Flex 14 set a precedent that sub-$700 2-in-1 laptops don’t have to sacrifice power for portability. This time, we’re taking a look at the Spin 5, this time powered by an Intel Core i5 processor. We were confused at the Spin 5’s design because it is smaller at 13.3” compared to the Flex’s 14” screen, but it somehow looks bulkier – something that could be an issue since this is a 2-in-1. Fortunately, the body was built solidly so there weren’t any issues switching from laptop to tablet.

Some awkward design issues makes the spin 5 rather bulky for a 14-inch 2-in-1. It’s also rather iffy when it comes to the Alexa App. However, it’s still one of the better options you can find for general productivity and multimedia entertainment… just don’t expect to play a lot of games in it.

We took the Spin 5 for a spin and we’re a bit on the fence when it comes to gaming. This is because its Intel’s integrated graphics cards are not that great for gaming in general. The processor itself is a great processor at the sub-$700 price point, so it still does an excellent job of being a productivity or entertainment gadget. One of the most advertised features of the Spin 5 is its Alexa App, which was rather limited because it can’t send messages or play music thru third-party software.

9. Asus Vivobook S Ultra

The second Vivobook in our list is labelled an ultraportable laptop, but that’s rather misleading. Despite being slim and less than four pounds, it’s still a 15.6” gadget. The slim profile and the aluminium body give the laptop a clean, classy look that makes it an ideal pick for a dedicated office machine. However, that doesn’t mean that the Vivobook S Ultra should be relegated as a productivity tool.

The Vivobook S Ultra is a great option for those looking for a reliable office gadget that can also let them view movies. While it has a rather underwhelming battery life, it won’t be a major issue since you can just hook it up to its AC adapter.

Let’s first get this one out of the way: it uses Intel integrated graphics, so you don’t expect this one to let you play games beyond medium quality settings. However, the full HD display gives you the option to adjust the color temperature, which is a perfect way to help you enjoy videos without causing too much eye strain. If only the battery lasted more than 5 hours, it would have been the perfect multimedia entertainment laptop.

10. Dell Inspiron 15 5000

The Vivobook S Ultra is a good combination of processing power and portability. This time, we’re taking a laptop that’s a complete opposite from Dell, one of the biggest laptop brands around. The Inspiron 15 ditches the sleek, elegant look in favor of a more “industrial” design. It’s actually the heaviest pick on our list at over 5 pounds! Does this heavy weight pack enough punch to meet the demands?

Are you looking for a laptop mostly for entertainment purposes? You better look elsewhere. Are you looking for a budget option that is more suitable for long productivity tasks? Then the Inspiron 15 500 is one of the best laptops to pick.

The first thing we noticed when we powered it on is the display. While it is a 15” laptop, the monitor can only have up to a 1366×768. This means watching videos at full HD resolution let alone gaming is bound to have a lot of limitations. While it’s not the best multimedia laptop, it is an excellent productivity tool. The core i5 processor will handle pretty much any type of office-related tasks, but what really impressed us is the laptop’s incredible battery life. Even with non-stop web browsing, the Inspiron 15 managed to last over 6 hours; about 1-2 hours longer than other laptops around the same price range.

How to Pick a Good Laptop Under 700 Dollars

Now that we know what makes these laptops great, it’s time to talk about how to pick the right option for you.

Define your needs – Why are you getting a laptop in the first place? If you’re after a general-purpose multimedia gadget, a good processor and plenty of space is enough. If you want to do some gaming, go for a laptop that has a dedicated graphics card.

Determine your level of mobility – Do you expect to frequently move from one spot to another when using the laptop? If you need more mobility, pick a laptop with long battery life and a slimmer profile. If the laptop will mostly be on a desk, then it’s safe to pick even the heavier or bulkier frames. This is also where you decide whether you are fine with the usual clamshell design or the 2-in-1 form.

Pick your storage options – Are you planning to store a lot of files on the laptop? If yes, then you should narrow your options down to laptops with high-capacity HDDs. If you value speed more than volume, it’s better to pick a laptop with an SSD for storage.

Check the OS – Do you prefer sticking to Windows or are you fine using any other operating systems such as ChromeOS and MacOS?

Finally, think about aesthetics – The laptop’s appearance has the least effect on how well you can use it. However, getting a laptop that doesn’t look that great can make you purchase less enjoyable than it should be. Once the more functional requirements are set, you can then spend some time picking which of the ones left on your list looks the best.

What to Look for in a Sub-$700 Laptop

Just like with desktop computers, not all laptops are built the same. Sure, laptops may share a lot of things in common at certain price points, but you can still expect two nearly similar options to perform differently. Fortunately, at the sub-$700 price point, there are options that are capable of balancing cost and performance, so you’re getting the most bang for the buck.

Size – Balancing Portability and Visibility

The main reason why you’d want to get a laptop is its mobility. This means you don’t want something too bulky that you can’t carry in a backpack or dedicated laptop case. After all, if mobility is not an important factor for you, you’re better off buying a desktop with a large screen for both work and entertainment.

On the other hand, there’s also the factor of visibility. Sure, having a compact laptop that’s easy to carry is good, but you may not get a lot of value out of it if it’s too small. Otherwise, you’re probably better off purchasing a tablet or even a smartphone. Most users and tech websites agree that screen sizes between 12 and 16 inches across provide the best balance between portability and visibility.

Form Factor

For the longest time, most people didn’t think much about a laptop’s form factor. In fact, most of the popular laptops across different price points still share the same “clamshell” design that the first laptops had. There was no real reason why you’d want to find a different laptop, that is at least until touch screens became more popular.

With touch screen technology becoming readily available, it was now possible to have laptops that also double as tablets. These gave rise to the “2-in-1” design which featured monitor panels that can swivel all the way, allowing people to use laptops the same way they would work with conventional tablets. The right form factor depends on whether you want that extra option for your laptop or if you’re good with the classic clamshell design.

Processor

The processor is considered the “brains” of the laptop, so you’d want to make sure your laptop has a processor powerful enough to do its intended task. To avoid getting too technical in this article, we’re going with a brief rundown on what dictates a processor’sperformance:

Cores – Physical part of a processor that handles commands. Today’s laptops have processors that have two or more cores, allowing them to handle more tasks simultaneously.

Threads – The line of commands processed by a core. Programs require at least one thread in order to run. In many cases, “hyper-threading” allows a core to process more than one thread at a time.

Frequency or Clock Speed – Measured in Megahertz (MHz), this is how fast a processor can work. Laptops in the list have processors that have a base frequency and a boost frequency, allowing them to trade processing power for better energy efficiency and vice versa.

Getting a laptop with the most powerful processor is ideal, but you have to keep in mind that typical laptop tasks may not be that demanding. Sure, that high-end laptop may have triple the processing power of a more affordable alternative, but if the cheaper choice can handle your regular laptop tasks without any problems then the price difference may not be worth it. This is why we picked laptops with processors that are considered by many other users to be cost-efficient.

Graphics Processor

A laptop’s graphics processor is responsible for rendering whatever shows up on a laptop’s screen. For gamers, the graphics processor has a big effect on how smooth and detailed their games will look like. Laptops also rely on the graphics processor to properly render videos or 3d models used for more productive purposes.

Important! – While the graphics processor is the biggest factor when it comes to rendering speed and visual quality, other factors such as the processor, RAM, storage, and even temperature management can also have a positive or negative effect on how nice (or ugly) the graphics will look on your laptop.

Storage

Storage refers to the number of files, programs, and other data that you can store on your laptop. More specifically, this refers to the capacity of your laptop’s storage drive. Higher capacity means more files, so that’s pretty straightforward. If you’re the type who prefers to have a collection of movies or games, or if you find yourself working with large files on a regular basis, then you need to pick an option that gives you enough storage space.

However, size isn’t always everything. To understand this, you need to know that there are two main types of storage drives found in laptops: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD). HDDs are great for storing more files, but SSDs are better at accessing the info stored in them, resulting in faster performance. This is especially important for games, where SSDs can significantly reduce your loading times.

What about RAM?

You’ve probably heard people talk about the importance of RAM when it comes to picking laptops. However, most laptops available today have the standard 4, 8, and 16GB RAM modules already installed on them. Unless your laptop is meant for heavy video or graphics work, 8GB should be more than enough to handle your typical budget laptop tasks.

Want to add more RAM to your laptop?

Fortunately, it’s one of the easiest upgrades you can do. RAM modules for laptops are relatively cheap. Installing one or two more modules shouldn’t be an issue even for your everyday laptop user (although having someone familiar with laptops will greatly help).

Conclusion

Sub-$700 laptops are all about balance. High-end picks that lead the performance charts for months on end maybe nice to have, but those usually come at a very high price tag. Fortunately, today’s mid-range laptops are still fully capable of meeting all but the most demanding productivity and entertainment tasks so they offer a lot of in terms of cost per value.

That wraps up our discussion on the best Laptops under $700! We hope this has helped you kick-start your search for the right laptop for you. Got any other laptop suggestions that we may have missed? Feel free to say something in the comments section!

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